Conflicts & War

Gaza life returns to normal as Egypt-brokered truce holds

Gaza, May 14 (EFE).- Life in Gaza returned to normal on Sunday after five days of military escalation between Israel and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group that caused 33 deaths.

However, the destruction caused by the Israeli attacks is still visible on the streets, and the economic losses are estimated to be over $50 million.

Following the ceasefire agreement brokered by Egypt, the intense exchange of fire between the Israeli Army and Palestinian militants ended last night.

As a result, calm has gradually returned to the coastal enclave.

Most shops, companies, ministries, and official institutions reopened Sunday morning.

People have also returned to work and resumed their daily routines.

After days of being confined indoors due to the fear of bomb attacks, the streets of Gaza turned busy again with traffic.

However, schools and universities remain closed, and students will return to classrooms on Monday.

Following the announcement of the ceasefire, residents of the strip came out last night to celebrate the end of hostilities that resulted in the deaths of 33 people.

Among the deceased were 18 militants and 15 civilians, including seven children.

Two people in Israel lost their lives – an 80-year-old woman and a Gazan individual with a work permit.

The Israeli airstrikes, which targeted the armed wing of the Islamic Jihad and resulted in the deaths of six commanders, also led to the destruction of approximately 26 buildings.

Some 100 houses suffered either severe or moderate damage.

The exchanges of fire injured 190 people in Gaza and 77 on the Israeli side.

Gazans heaved a sense of relief after days of attacks. However, there are fears that the ceasefire will not hold long and that the existing tension between Israel and Islamic Jihad may lead to another escalation.

If this happens, it could result in even more damage to the strip, which has been under a land, sea, and air blockade by Israel since Hamas took control of the area in 2007.

The transport of goods and the passage of people to the enclave have resumed as Israel reopened the Erez and Kerem Shalom crossings, which had been closed since the beginning of the Israeli military operation called “Shield and Arrow” on Tuesday.

Life is also returning to normal in Israeli cities and communities near Gaza, most affected by the intense rocket and mortar fire from the strip.

Authorities lifted the imposed restrictions on movement and assembly. EFE

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